Bhopal is the nearest airport, while Vidisha is the nearest rail head. Bhopal to Sanchi is 46 km by road.
Sanchi is situated around 46 km from Bhopal and is easily accessible by the available means of transport.

how to reach

nearby places

Directions

sanchi stupa

Loading...

aboutsanchi stupa

India’s oldest stone structure, commissioned into existence by Emperor Ashoka and built over the remains of Buddha in a glorious endeavor to honour them, Sanchi Stupa is a magnificent exemplar of not just Buddhist and Mauryan art and architecture, but also of faith and reverence. While its foundation was overlain by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BCE, it was actually his wife, Queen Devi, a native of Sanchi, who eventually oversaw its establishment.

The initial structure was half the size of the present edifice, enclosed with railings made of wood and crowned with a stone umbrella-like structure, known as chatra that symbolises high rank. Gradually, over the centuries that followed and as different dynasties crossed its path, the Stupa and the region surrounding it grew and developed into the grand, illustrious heritage site that it is now.

A World Heritage site, Sanchi Stupa essentially refers to Stupa 1, known more fittingly as the Great Stupa. Surrounding it is Stupa 3, the Ashokan pillar, Temple 18 from the Mauryan era and Temple 17 belonging to the Gupta era. There are a number of other temples and monuments strewn across the village of Sanchi, dating from the times of the dynasties that reigned over the region, beginning from 3rd century BCE to 12th century CE.

Chiseled with a number of Brahmi inscriptions that date back to the 3rd century BCE, leading up to 800 CE, Sanchi Stupa is not surprisingly a site of immense religious and historical significance for the Buddhist faith followers. As you explore in awe and excitement the monument scattered landscape of Sanchi, and walk up to the Great Stupa, be sure to peer closely at the four gateways that surround it and open out to it. Built in the first century BC by Andhra-Satavahanas, these four gateways represent love, courage, trust and peace and are carved intricately with events and scenes from Buddha’s life.

sanchi stupa photos

Sanchi Stupa traveller reviews

You can visit Sanchi Stupa as a day trip from Bhopal. The journey only takes one hour one way. An important Buddhist site, this has been in the bucket list since a while. On reaching, we saw that the lovely gates were in a dilapidated condition, thou
......
read more

Sanchi stupa is a good place to visit and is near to bhopal. Sanchi stupa is located in a small hill top and you get a good view from the top. Well maintained and truly, a world heritage site. All age group should visit it

Please write a review and help more travellers

Please rate and help other travellers

It's always good to know before visiting sanchi stupa whether it is open or closed on a particular day, and what the opening timings of sanchi stupa are and whether it is open in the morning, afternoon, evening or night. The most important thing to know is that sanchi stupa is closed on . On the other hand, sanchi stupa remains open for visits on the following open days of the week - Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun and the entrance timings and opening hours on these days are from 07:00 AM - 07:00 PM and then from . Apart from the closing days mentioned above, most places are closed on national holidays and important local holidays, so it is best to check with locals or at the point of interest to confirm whether it is open on such days. Also the timings in winter and timings in summer for sanchi stupa may differ, so it is best to keep visiting this page again to find out the most latest and accurate sanchi stupa visit opening hours. It is a part of mostly all bhopal tour packages and is a great place to visit in bhopal to witness the evolution of sanchi stupa over the decades.